Prescott National Forest Enters Stage III Fire Restrictions
June 7, 2006
PRESCOTT, AZ - Prescott National Forest will increase fire restrictions on Thursday, June 8, at 8:00 am. Since the forest-wide fire and smoking restrictions went into effect May 11, 52 illegal and abandoned campfires have been found. “With forest visitor use increasing, along with illegal fires, temperatures and dry conditions; we have decided to increase our current fire restrictions”, said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Heaton.
The following are
prohibited on the Prescott National Forest:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove. The use of pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
- Smoking, except within enclosed vehicles or buildings.
- Use of explosives.
- Operating a chainsaw.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
- Possessing or using any motorized vehicle on Forest Service OHV trails, including Hayfield Draw, Sheridan Mountain/Smith Mesa, and Alto Pit OHV areas.
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.
- Dispersed Camping is prohibited on all Forest Service land with the Bradshaw Ranger. .
The following
closures are in effect on the Verde Ranger District:
- Forest Trails 114, 108, 105 and 104 which begin on the rim of Mingus Mountain and end on Forest Road 413
- Beginning from the junction of Highway 260 and County Road 75, west to Forest Service Road (FSR) 132; northwest along FSR 132 to the section line between sections 25 and 26, Township 15 N, Range 3 East; north along the section line to FSR 413; north on FSR 413 to Highway 89A northeast to the Forest boundary; follow the boundary east and southerly along the private property boundary to the intersection with Highway 260; south on Highway 260 to the junction with County Road 75.
EXEMPTIONS:
- The residents and guests may enter the closed areas when traveling directly to and from their private properties.
- Camping is permitted at the following developed recreations sites on the Bradshaw Ranger District:
- Lynx Lake Campground
- Groom Creek Horse Camp Campground
- Hilltop Campground
- Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground
- Lower Wolf Creek Campground
- Yavapai Campground
- Granite Basin Group Campground
- White Spar Campground
- Hazlett Hollow Campground
- Turney Gulch Group Campground
- Discharge of firearms permitted within the Granite Basin shooting area.
The restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of a human-caused wildfire. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both.
The public is reminded that day-use and developed recreation sites forest wide will remain open. Dispersed camping will be allowed on the Chino Valley Ranger District and the Verde Ranger District, except in the closure area. Please help keep our forests free from fires for the duration of this fire season.
For current information on fire restrictions, closures or wildfires on the Prescott National Forest, call 928-777-5799.
For further information about fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico, call toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit
http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/ .
But I don't think that's part of the smaller runs, so bring lunch and lots of water.
